HORTICULTURAL THERAPY is a process utilizing plants and horticultural activities to improve the social, educational, psychological and physical adjustment of persons thus improving their body, mind and spirits. Recently the American Horticultural Therapy Association, AHTA, emphasized that a Horticultural Therapist uses horticulture as therapeutic intervention and as a rehabilitative medium.
Horticultural therapy is an innovative treatment using plants and plant-related activities to assist in one’s rehabilitation process. Its therapeutic value offers a change of pace from traditional therapies.
People working with plants can improve mobility, balance, endurance, memory and socialization skills. Muscles can be strengthened and coordination improved. Activities may include planting seeds, watering or repotting and propagating plants, drying or pressing flowers and working outside where gardening can be accomplished by the use of adaptive modalities and tools. Ergonomic gardening tools and accessories are often used to ease the physical stress on the gardeners.
